Lamp mounting



Nav. 29, 1949 l `J SUTER 2,489,686

LAMP MOUNTING Filed Aug. '7, 1945 J5 40 /L-/Gtl 46 474/ l al Je@ Q wuz/Wto@ JOJEPHLUTE@ Patented Nov. 29, 1949 U'LN [TED ENRE NT *OF-FICE `2,489,686 ikLAMPMOUNTING JosephfLsSuter, Springfeld,-'Ill. -Aplctio Augustr 7, 1945-Seri`al5No: 609,399

4-Claims. Cl. 1240-.-114

Y i 1 This invention lrel-atesto-lampimountings;` "and @more particularly to alamp -nioui-itingi-for u'oreslk3e'nt,ger'micid'al or'simi-larllamps.

l There -are severalconventionallampmountings available ior-Jsupportinga iiuore'sce'nt, germicidal land similar-llamp,v structuresf'suc mountings usually embodying Sani impedance'coil commonly .referred ton the'art`l 'as fbal-lastf-ff niautomatic structure for heating fthefl'amp tmplaceitfin. normal operation, etc. -Lan1ps ofthis'lcharacter frequentlyware Semploycdl inpla@es'fwherelsubstantial Vmoisture content exists 'inithel atmosphere; and -this moisture tends to'i'nterfere aitertsomelength offtime with--the-nornial'operation "of the lamp, -forexamp1eg bylcausing corrosion ofJthe .parts An important objectf'l'ofsthe presentinvention iis to provide a lampmountingnfnovelconstruction wherein the sockets -:fory the lampztubes are rigidly .supported SWi'th respectto each' other for the easy insertiorroflthlampltubes; and wherein the parts are f"effectivelyifn protect-.cdi 'aga-inst" corrosion by moisture.

AA further object lisfto provide-astructurefof the character .referredritowherein apairzofspaced headsv carry the' 'respective'flamp sockets and'fare rigidly .xedi anovel r'rian'n'erwitlivv respect -to 'eachother whereby stressesfandstrains are equal- V1y divided-'on opposite sidesotheaxis oisthefcen- 'trauy located'sla'mp tube'gthus providing. a.Y highly rigidllampsupporting-structure.

LLA further object isto provide. alainp mounting of the character-1referredflto,v herein i thesupporting-heads are provided ther-"inf.with` a non hygroscopic material :sealed-within the' heads'in a novel manner so-'asf--tdqnrovid highlyfe'ffective protection against thea etfectsfof moisture.

.LA further objectis toprovidesuch a structure wherein rigid tubes' form"vsuprortingcolumnsfbe tween the two heads,and'whereinthefwiringconnectionsV between'- the two'i'eadsi -extendlthrough such columns, 'thelatter being soi 'arranged' as Sto equally distribute any .stresses orstrains'f'towhich the device mayzbe subie'ctedthus :rigidly'xing the relativer positions ."of fthe'lamp receiving sockets.

A further objectis Eto" provide such adevice wherein the ballastEismountedf'in one' 'of the heads and is protectedtogetherf'withtits-wiring connections, vagainst-.fthe :'ffects oiimos'tureby being completely'embeddedfin a protective 'body of a non-hyg'roscopicmaterialfpossessing lhigh dielectric qualities.

A fu'rtherfobject iis to provide "sii'chf` a Ydevice wherein hollow supptingfh'eadsarfeniployed and within; whichmrefrespeetively-arrangedlth 'structure,and to provide ture.

L Otherobjects and advantages of thev invention Willbe'comefapparent duringfthe' course of the following description.

In the drawing I have' 'shoWnfone embodiment Soffthenvention In-lthis showing:

L' Figure 1 A'is' a central longitudinal 'sectional "v-iew :ithrough the devicefpartsf being -showniin elevaion,

` Figure 2 is a section on line2'^2of Figure l, ,f Figure 3: is a .face'lviewofithe'f-body portion of `foneroftheheadlelements, and,

- Figure 4is anend elevationof 'the device, lookingin A the; direction Lof..y theVlr automatic structure.

tReferringftoTigure LSthenumerals il@ and Il .designate a pair fof spacedy 'headl structures as a wholei to kbe referredfto indetai'l latenthese heads respectively carryingconv'entional sockets I2 and I3-to`f-receivethe endsrf'ofla conventional two-pin fluorescent, vgermicidalor similar tubularlamp fl 4.

Eacli' head structure :comprises a bodymember I6 having a base l1 perpendicular tofthe axis oftheilamp 14. In profile, each body member is `s'ubstantiallylelliptical inf'shapei asshown in Figu 'Sure 3 and -is provided withA asurrounding liange scribed.

if: :Supportingtubes or columns`22 extend between the! head lstructures inl spaced parallel relation equidistantlyspaced on opposite sides-of 'thelamp through openings V23` formed in the vbases :Il of fthe.` respective bodies;fithe'latterhaving bosses yf2!! 'at'the point of entry of each tube22 to thicken the `icornf-:sp'onding "base" portion i1 and thus lengthen y'the f openings'23. Y If desired,f'positive anchoring 'means may be 'provided' for the end'fof each tube -22,ffs`u`ch'#meansl comprising, Vforexample, locking i'pinsfZ 5.

lr Each-'socket'lZ land i3 has its `base portion set in a'recess 28"'vforr'ned 'in the' associated base I1, fand-'screws' 29f's'ecurethefsockets'|2v and 'I3 in position.

f' 'TheV end-structure -"I il; in addition 'to the Abody member FIt", is provd'edwith a cap" 3D shaped in p'role asshownin Figure 2 tofcorrespond to the sli'apcof the body SAI6."'The'cap'3ll comprises an upper base portiol and a depending flange rit seating on the-shoulderflS 4and'tigltly'ltting the small upstanding flange" 33 fat the't'opo'fthe'main ange'ltl. Vv-An"eye`?35 rnay'lccfcarried by'the cap base 3| for suspending-thefstructure;althoughi-it will be apparent that any suitable supporting means may be employed.

A thimble 33 provides for the entrance into the head IU of wires 39 and 40 from a suitable source of current. The wire 39 is shown as leading to a conventional ballast 4I, and the opposite end of the winding of the ballast is provided with a wire 42 which extends throughout the length of one of the tubes 22 and is connected to one terminal of the socket I3 of the head Il. The wire 40 is connected to one terminal of the socket I2, and the other terminal of such socket is provided with a lead wire 43 extending through the other tube 22 for a purpose to be described.

As shown in Figure 1, a thin pouring form 46 has its lower end seating against the slightly Y tapered inner surface of the flange I8, the membei' 46 corresponding in contour to the elements of the cap I0 as shown in Figure 2 and having its upper edge extending above the ballast 4I. The space within the form 46 and within the cap body i6 therebeneath is filled with a suitable non-hygroscopic material 4l having high dielectric characteristics. For this purpose, any one of several thermo-plastics such as suitable waxes or wax-like substances may be employed, and such substance being completely waterproof, protects the ballast 4I and its wiring connections from the possible entrance of moisture, and similarly protects the socket I2 and its wiring connections. To prevent the ilow of the wax into the tubes 22, the latter may be provided with suitable Stoppers 48.

The head I I is provided with a cap 50 generally similar to the cap 30, but somewhat shallower since less space is required within the head II. The cap 50 comprises a base 5I and a surrounding flange 52, the edge portion of which corresponds to the edge portion of the flange 32, and engages the ange 33 of the associated body IG. It will be understood, of course, that the bodies I5 of the two heads are preferably identical in construction and the same reference numerals have been employed for indicating the various parts of both heads.

The cap 5l] is provided with an axial inturned ilange 53 which extends approximately into contact with astarter socket 54, and an automatic starter 55, which is conventional, is inserted in the socket `54 through the opening through the ange 53. The socket 54 is conventionally supported in position by suitable screws 56 threaded in the adjacent base I'I. The wire 43 is connected to one terminal of the base 54 while the other terminal of this base is connected by a wire 5'I to the adjacent socket I3, the second terminal of the latter socket being connected to the wire 42, as previously stated. It will be understood that the particular electrical connections, so far as the completion of the usual circuits is concerned, are conventional.

The lower body I6, as viewed in Figure 1, contains a body of a non-hygroscopic material of high dielectric characteristics indicated by the numeral 58. This material also may be of wax as is true of the body of material 41, and is poured in fluid condition with the device inverted and prior to the placing of the cap 50, the level of the material 58 being indicated by the numeral 59, which is approximately at the level of the bottom of the socket 54 when the device is in the normal position shown in Figure 1.

The operation of-the device is as follows:

The various head elements, that is, the two bodies I6 andcaps 30 and 50, may be of any of the body members I6.

suitable material, but it is preferred that they be made of a molded plastic of a type which possesses a reasonable degree of inherent elasticity, for a reason to be referred to later, in order that any cracking of the material may be avoided. Both body members I6 are provided with the openings 23 which are very slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the tubes 22. The body members I6 are heated to effect expansion thereof so that the openings 23 become of a size at least corresponding in diameter to that of the tubes 22 to permit the insertion or the driving of the ends of such tubes into the openings 23. The assembly of the tubes 22 and cap bodies I6 is effected in a suitable jig for the positioning of the parts and the proper spacing The sockets I2 and I3 are then connected in position, and the starter socket 54 attached by the screws 56 to position the socket 54. The various wiring connections are vthen completed, and it will be apparent that while the ballast 4I is shown in Figure 1 spaced from the cap base I1, the ballast Vneed not be positioned inany particular place in the assembly of the parts so long `as the top thereof is below the upper limit of the form 46. With the device in the position shown in Figure 1, the form 4B is inserted in position whereupon the moisture-sealing composition 4l is poured into the form 46 to a level approximately at the top of such form, completelf,7 submerging the ballast, the connections of the various wires thereto, and the connections of the wires to the socket I2. Upon the hardening of the material 4l, the cap 30 is applied. This cap has a relatively tight fit with the shoulder l@ and the small inside flange 33, but the contacting faces of these elements are preferably provided with a plastic cement which forms a rigid bond between the parts upon placing the cap 3% inposition.

' The device is then inverted and the body of material 58 is poured to the level indicated by the numeral Y59.V The cap 5!) is then placed in position in the same manner as the cap 3Il.

The device is now ready for operation. A conventional uorescent or germicidal tubular lamp I4 has its pins inserted in the slots of the sockets I2 and I3, whereupon the lamp is turned to operative position.- VThe lamp, the sockets I2 and I3, and the methodof placing the lamp in position are all conventional and need not be speciiically described. The Aautomatic starter 55 is then inserted in the socket 54 in the usual and conventional manner. The entire structure is supportable by being suspended by the eye 35, but it will be apparent that the structure is a complete operative unitary assembly which may be supported in any desired manner.

Devices of the present character have been found highly satisfactory and efficient in operation except that they are subject to the destructive corrosive eiects of moisture. This is particularly true when lamps of this character are used in rooms where a high degree of humidity or chemical fumes are present, such as in driers, adjacent wash racks, and in food cooler rooms and cases. The assembling of the head structures of the present device forms a permanent lamp mounting which aifords highly eiiicient and permanent protection of the electrical parts from moisture, chemical fumes, etc. For exe ample, the ballast 4I is completely submergedin thematerial 41 as are its wiring connections as well as the lwiring connections of the sockets I2; I3 Vand, 54.. .Pls the waterproofing material 41 and 58, I prefer to employ a wax having a melting point preferably around 170 F. and a hardening point 'at least as loW as 0 F. Waxes of this type are commercially available and some have hardening points as low as 90 below zero. A wax or wax-like material of this type is preferably employed since its use is practicable in rooms where temperatures are relatively high, and also in rooms, cases, etc., Where low temperatures are maintained. A low hardening point is desirable in order to prevent the hardening and possible cracking of the material when very low temperatures are present.

As previously stated, the material used in the making of the bodies I6 and caps 30 and 50 is preferably of an available type which possesses a reasonable degree of inherent elasticity at any temperatures to which the present device may be subjected. This is important from a practical standpoint in view of the shrinking of the walls of the openings 23 about the tubes 22. It is of less importance with respect to the thimble 38 and eye 35, except that inasmuch as these elements will be lassembled around normal room temperatures and contraction of the caps will occur at low temperatures, a gripping of the elements referred to will be caused. The use of the proper material avoids any cracking of the material when shrinkage occurs, this being particularly important as to the shrinking of the walls of the openings 23 on the tubes 22, as stated. The assembly of the tubes 22 in the manner stated provides, in actual practice, perfectly leak-proof joints around the tubes 22. However, if any moisture should seep around these tubes, it can progress no further than into contact with the body of the materials 41 and '58, and the electrical parts accordingly are eiectively protected.

I claim:

1. A lamp mounting comprising a pair of hollow heads, sockets carried by the respective heads to receive the bases of a tubular lamp, a pair of rigid parallel elongated members rigidly connected to the respective heads, said elongated members being arranged 'at opposite sides of and spaced from the lamp parallel to the axis thereof and having axes lying in a plane common to the axis of the lamp, one of said heads containing an electrical device electrically associated with the lamp, and a body of a non-hygroscopic material of high dielectric characteristics in said last named head and in which said electrical device is completely embedded, said body of material forming the sole supporting means for said electrical device.

2. A lamp mounting comprising a pair of heads each having a base portion and a ange extending in a direction away from the other head, and a cap turned toward and engaging each flange, la socket carried by the base of each body for electrical engagement with the bases of a tubular lamp, the b-ases of said bodies having openings therethrough, a pair of rigid tubular members having their ends tightly engaging within said openings to x said heads with respect to each other, said tubes being arranged at diametrically opposite sides of the lamp and spaced therefrom parallel to the axis thereof, electrical devices in said heads, wires extending through said tubular a members for electrically connecting said electrical devices and said sockets, and a body of a non-hygroscopic material in each of said heads and in which one of said respective electrical devices is at least partially embedded, the other electrical device being Wholly embedded in such material and solely supported thereby.

3. A lamp mounting comprising a pair of spaced heads having base portions facing toward and parallel to each other, a socket carried by the base portion of each body for connection with the bases of a tubular lamp, rigid means connecting said heads in xed relationship to each other, one of said heads comprising a cup-shaped body of which the associated base portion is a part, said body being prdvided with a flange extending upwardly When the lamp is in vertical position and said one head is at the top of said mounting, and a cap having a depending flange portion engageable with the flange of the body of said one head, van electrical device in said one head, a form of thin material arranged in said `one head and engaging therewith within the ange of the body thereof and projecting above such ilange, and a body of a non-hygroscopic material of high dielectric characteristics in said one head and in said form to a height extending above said electrical device whereby the latter is completely embedded in said material.

4. A lamp mounting comprising a pair of heads each having a base portion and a flange extending in a direction away from the other head, and a cap turned toward and engaging each ilange, a socket carried by the base of each body in axial alignment for electrical engagement with the bases of a tubular lamp, the base portions of said bodies having openings therethrough, a pair of rigid tubular members having their ends tightly engaging within said openings to fix said heads with respect to each other, said tubes being arranged at diametrically opposite sides of the lamp and spaced therefrom parallel to the axis thereof, electrical devices in said heads, and wires extending through atleast one of said tubular members for electrically connecting said electrical devices and said sockets, said tubular members and the axis of the lamp lying in a common plane, said heads being elongated in the direction of said plane and being relatively narrow transversely of said plane.

JOSEPH L. SUTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,820,027 McClintock Aug. 25, 1931 2,288,941 Curtis July 7, 1942 2,311,877 Schelgunov Feb. 23, 1943 2,313,983 Yost et al Mar. 16, 1943 2,314,233 McSWeen Mar. 16, 1943 2,318,536 Stern May 4, 1943 

